June 2005 in Canada - June 23, 2005

June 23, 2005

• Parliament votes to extend the parliamentary session in order to deal with the budget (Bill C-48) and same-sex marriage (Bill C-38) bills. This is the first time in 17 years that such a motion has passed. (CBC)

(The Globe and Mail)

• In a late-night session, the House of Commons unexpectedly votes to invoke closure on the debate on Bill C-48 and pass the bill immediately. The move came after several Tories had already left the House, believing that it would soon adjourn. (CBC)
• Ethics commissioner Bernard Shapiro has cleared Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal of allegations that he accepted payment in return for granting immigration visas. Shapiro intends to also investigate Prime Minister Paul Martin and his chief of staff, Tim Murphy. This matter has prompted many to call for Shapiro's own resignation, including New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Ed Broadbent. (CBC) (CTV)
• An Ottawa court has ordered that Abdullahi Fourreh be held in custody while doctors treat his case of tuberculosis. Fourreh has dismissed each previous treatment regimen, claiming the doctors are trying to kill him and that his case is not threatening. Public health officials say that Fourreh has the most contagious strain of tuberculosis and has already infected at least one person. (CBC)
• The Department of National Defense are meeting with residents of CFB Gagetown to discuss the testing of Agent Orange in the area during the 1950s and 1960s. The residents claim to be suffering from the toxic effects of Agent Orange, while the Department officials maintain that such a case is unlikely. (CBC) (CTV)
• The Ontario College of Pharmacists and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are investigating a drug store in Hamilton, Ontario after two deaths from drugs sold by the pharmacy. Sold as Norvasc, the RCMP say that the drugs may be fake. Investigation is ongoing. (CBC)
• Judge Judy Clendenning issues a ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in New Brunswick. The ruling will go into effect in ten days. CBC New Brunswick